The scene changes to Bruges. Wicliffe is commissioner, to treat with a papal embassy respecting the reservation of ecclesiastical benefices. Rome had been growing in rapacity. Statutes of "provisors" and "premunire" had been passed to curb its covetousness of wealth and power. Further interference was necessary. So a meeting was ap

A year later, A.D. 1361, Wicliffe is in academic office. He was appointed warden of Baliol College, and afterwards of Canterbury Hall. A reversal of his appointment was sought, and the case was submitted to Urban V. While it was sub judice, the pontiff revived certain claims in the form of tribute on the English nation, which Edward III. was determined to resist. Wicliffe in the dispute took part against the pope, a proof of his disinterestedness, while his own official position was at the mercy of the court of Rome. Nor can his attacks on the papacy, when the cause had been decided against him, be ascribed to resentment, inasmuch as his battle with the papacy had begun before. In 1372 he took his degree as Doctor in Divinity, and was chosen a theological lecturer. A work which he wrote on the Decalogue, about this time, illustrates the growth of his religious views; with a few exceptions, there is nothing in the treatise which could offend any Protestant reader. "I say thee for certain," he boldly writes, "though thou have priests and friars to sing for thee, and though thou each day hear many masses, and found chauntries and colleges, and go on pilgrimages all thy life, and give all thy goods to pardoners; all this shall not bring thy soul to heaven. While, if the commandments of God are revered to the end, though neither penny nor halfpenny be possessed, there shall be everlasting pardon, and the bliss of heaven."

pope and the messengers of the king. Wicliffe was among the latter. The city was then in the height of its commercial splendour and civic freedom. The English commissioner would see much of quaint architecture, sumptuously furnished dwellings, gay and glittering attire, processions and pageants; and something too he would discover of a stern, indomitable, resistful will in merchant princes, who could beard even despotic monarchs. The former would only impress him with the world's vanity; the latter, in which he could sympathise, might strengthen his own strong individuality and force of independent purpose. Perhaps, too, the reformer might at Bruges hear something of men who along the Rhine, and in German and Flemish cities, were, under the name of "friends of God," promoting spiritual religion-undermining formalism and priestcraftand preparing for changes they little dreamt of. Moreover, at Bruges, we know, he learnt so much of the corruption of the Roman court as made him more its enemy than ever.

We must now visit old St. Paul's. There Wicliffe stands forth in his proper character as Reformer. He was cited to meet charges of heresy. John of Gaunt-whom he had known on the Continent-accompanied him to the tribunal, where the scene took place so graphically described by Foxe and Fuller. "The Lord Percy, Lord Marshal of England, had much ado to break through the crowd in the church; so that the bustle he kept with the people highly offended the Bishop of London, as profaning the place, and disturbing the assembly. Whereon

Wicliffe's great achievement in his mournful wail: "And so the Gospel pearl is cast abroad, and trodden under foot of swine, and what was dear to clergy and laity is now rendered, as it were, the common jest of both: so that the gem of the Church becomes the derision of laymen, and that is now theirs for ever, which before was the special property of the clergy and doctors."

While the translation was in progress, Wicliffe was smitten with paralysis; his old antagonists, the Mendicants, came to warn the dying man, as they supposed; when, lifting himself up in his bed, he replied: "I shall not die, but live, and again declare the evil deeds of the friars." He did not die, but lived to do what he threatened.

Again we are at Oxford, in the spring of 1381. Wicliffe was then a decided opponent of transubstantiation. He published twelve conclusions against it, maintaining that the bread and wine remain unchanged after the words of consecration, and that the body and blood are only figuratively in the sacrament. He was lecturing in the hall of the school of the Augustines-a messenger entered. Solemnly in the name of the chancellor and doctors he was forbidden to proceed, and those who listened to him were threatened with excommunication and imprisonment. There was a pause-the venerable professor rose from his chair, and challenged a refutation of his doctrines; of course, the challenge was in vain. He forthwith appealed to the civil power for protection, and again he thwarted the malice of his foes. The Duke of Lancaster sheltered him for awhile, but at length the faithful champion of truth was banished the university.

In his last days we see him simply Rector of Lutterworth, fulfilling the duties of a parish minister, preaching to his people the truths he had learned from God's word, and writing treatises on religious subjects. Cited to appear before Urban VI. at Rome, he declared

he was willing to comply, but Christ had "needed" him to the contrary. A stroke of paralysis had rendered obedience impracticable. Still, however, he could quietly pursue his pastoral labours till a fresh attack on the 23rd December, 1384, as he was administering the Eucharist, rendered him insensible. Two days afterwards, and Wicliffe found his home in heaven. Tradition still lingers round the neighbourhood, telling of the famous rector's zeal in the discharge of his parochial duty, how he relieved the poor, and comforted the aged and the sick.

Looking at the age in which Wicliffe lived, at the current of opinion in his time, at the few helps for the attainment of pure Scripture truth he had; one is astonished at the clear views he formed on many religious points, at his approximation to sentiments which now distinguish the Protestant Church. His heart was right, he was a lover of truth, and the Holy Ghost the Comforter left him not without gracious helps in learning. Beautifully did he say-" It is now a great sin not to arise and to throw open our windows, for this spiritual light is ready to shine unto all men who will open to receive it." With masculine understanding he grasped the objects of his faith, and with a strong will maintained them against adversaries, and pressed them on the hearts of all. He had none of those mystical habits of thought which were so prevalent in his time among all who were weary of the formalities of a degenerate Christendom, and were sighing for the freedom wherewith Christ makes his people free. He was a type of the Anglo-Saxon Christian, as distinguished from spiritual brethren of the German stock. There was something melancholy in his cast of mind, for he ever looked on the solemn side of life, and death, and all things. But though not what would be called a genial man, there was in his soul that deep fountain of strong and quiet love, which makes the patriot, the reformer, and the benefactor of mankind. "This

is out of all doubt, that at what time all the world was in most desperate and vile estate, and that the lamentable ignorance and darkness of God his truth had overshadowed the whole earth; this man stepped out like a valiant champion, unto whom it may justly be applied, that is spoken in the

Edward Miller, Chiswick, was born at Atherstone, Warwickshire, in the year 1785. At the age of eleven he was bereaved of his mother, and three years later he lost his father, a surgeon in the Military Hospital at Gosport, who was carried off in the prime of life. From his earliest years he was under the restraints of a religious education, residing for a time at Northampton with his grandfather, a clergyman of the Church of England, and afterwards receiving his education at Christ's Hospital. Neither early trials nor early religious advantages led him at first to decision. He says of himself: "For some time I was as diligent in sin as in hearing the Gospel." But at the age of seventeen a considerable change of character took place. About that time he became a constant hearer of the Rev. Rowland Hill, at Surrey Chapel; and at twentyone years of age was admitted a member there.

book called Ecclesiasticus, of one Simon the son of Onias: 'Even as the morning star being in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon being full in her course, and as the bright beams of the sun, so doth he shine and glisten in the temple and church of God.' "* John Foxe.

Two years previously, permanent occupation had been obtained in the Commissary-General's office. This position was retained for thirty years; and

Being of an active turn of mind, the subject of this notice had been, at an early period, accustomed to visit the sick, and to write to persons upon their religious condition. But his full activity was called forth by a question proposed by the Rev. Rowland Hill, in a sermon in which he spoke of the death of an eminently useful Christian. He asked, "What shall I say to those who do nothing for the cause of Christ ?" This question determined Mr. Miller to new efforts in the service of Christ. He became connected with several religious societies, amongst the most important of which were, the Home Missionary Society, of which he was also Secretary from 1823 to 1826-the Religious Tract Society, the Committee of which he joined in 1826, and the same year he wrote several of its handbills. He was also on the Committee of Cheshunt College, and subsequently assisted in the formation of the London City Mission, and for a time edited the Magazine. In these several positions, and first as a manager of Kennington Chapel, and afterwards as a deacon of Buckingham Chapel, Pimlico, he found much scope for usefulness. During this period, the pen was not allowed to lie idle. Several minor pieces were contributed to newspapers and magazines, and a work of

some magnitude was published—“ A Scripture History for the Young." It came out in parts, and was illustrated. This work met with favour. It was first written and published in 1815, and was republished, in one volume, in 1833.

In 1824, Mr. Miller, still dissatisfied with what he was accomplishing, began to preach at village stations, in workhouses, and wherever an opening could be found. Putney was one of the places often visited. There, in 1827, he was invited to become the pastor. On the 26th of July in that year he was ordained to the work. For the eight following years, his labours for the village and neighbourhood were abundant and successful. The congregation increased, the chapel was twice enlarged, and many members were added to the church.

On leaving Putney, Mr. Miller became assistant preacher with Rev. G. Browne, at Clapham. There he continued his labours, with marked success, for two years. But a state of nervous debility and depression which followed rendered cessation from preaching necessary for a time.

Visiting, in August, 1838, in the neighbourhood of Chiswick, he was directed to a small congregation of Dissenters worshipping there. At their request, he attempted to resume his labours amongst them, and found on making the effort that his strength was restored. In November of that year he became their pastor. The blessing of God attended his labours. The church, which consisted of fourteen members in 1838, had increased to sixty in 1845, and afterwards was still further augmented. As a new chapel was needed, this subject engaged his earnest attention; and in 1841 a suitable chapel, with schoolroom, was erected at a cost of more than 8007. This sum was, through his persevering efforts, soon paid. After labouring faithfully at Chiswick for twelve years, Mr. Miller was at length, in November, 1850, compelled, by increasing bodily affliction, to resign his charge.

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When unable any longer to preach, Mr. Miller occupied himself with writing hymns, little books for the young, and religious tracts. Many hundreds of excellent hymns were composed. Some were written on ornamental cards, and given as presents, proving in many cases acceptable and useful. Of the tracts and handbills written not less than five millions were circulated during the writer's life, chiefly by the Religious Tract Society. His last years of suffering were spent in writing tracts for the "Stirling Tract Enterprise," and in getting them circulated amongst his friends. By this means, more than 50,000 were put in circulation.

In addition to such efforts, there were in his life instances of usefulness to individuals that deserve mention. One gentleman, now an excellent clergyman of the Established Church, was supported during his whole course at Cambridge, at a cost of several hundred pounds, by money Mr. Miller raised; and was thus prepared for the important work in which he is now engaged. And there were other similar instances.

Even to the end, notwithstanding his acute sufferings, his days were consecrated to works of Christian usefulness. His last effort was to raise a good sum for the church which has been erected at Dorchester for the congregation under the ministry of the Rev. J. Miller, M.A., his son.

After several years of affliction, the fatal attack began on the 19th of June, 1857. For a few days, body and mind were greatly distressed. Then followed a happy time of composure. During this, he said, "All fear gone,❞—repeating it with emphasis; "I know my safety;" and, "I am a wonder of redeeming grace;" and also the words, "Where the weary are at rest." Then followed a state in which he had not strength to communicate his thoughts, but appeared at times to be lifting up devout aspirations to God; and at length, on Sunday the 28th, just as the rest-day began, he entered into rest.

His diary, which was kept for many